I’m approaching my birthday again. I’ve made a lot of changes in my body lately. I lost 21 lbs in the past year, got a new hair color, and after hating myself since childhood, finally I am trying to love the body I have. It’s the only one I’m going to get!
I’m happy and proud to show most of my body to the world, but I feel my genital area is ugly and shameful: my thighs and butt are my largest fat deposits, the skin is very pale with freckles, it’s sensitive and often red, and I have one labia much longer than the other. My body insecurity keeps me from enjoying sex as well... I just don’t want to think about it or look at it! I remember wishing for many years that I was featureless like a Barbie doll down there.
So as I approach year 31 of my life, I want to be more open about my body and my feelings, and maybe even be friends with my body. No more hiding. It feels so good to confess these secret feelings I’ve had for so long, and I’m sure many other women can relate as well. So I’m conquering my fear and showing everyone the beauty of my body through The Vulva Gallery! And we can all appreciate our bodies as the gifts they are no matter how we are told they “should” look. Who decides that anyway?

V. - 31 years old